Rutte says NATO will adjust defences as needed after ship attacks

The NATO secretary general said the alliance would adapt deterrence and defence measures when necessary. He announced no specific new deployment.

Mark Rutte said on October 13 that he had discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. NATO would continue working with regional allies and monitoring security conditions. Rutte said its eastern-flank posture had already been strengthened.

Bulgarian National Television, citing the government press office, reported that Radev asked NATO and the European Commission to support stronger maritime and airspace monitoring. Their leaders expressed readiness to help establish the circumstances of the attacks.

Radev also plans talks with Romania and Türkiye on joint proposals for shipping security and to raise the issue at the European Council. Rutte's statement describes readiness to respond to changing conditions rather than an approved timetable for troop movements or a list of newly deployed forces.